Mohammad Kaif suggests one change to India’s Playing XI at Lord’s for injured Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar (Source: Ranjith Kumar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has suggested one change to the Playing XI of the Indian team for the third ODI against England. The series decider will be played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, and Kaif wants the injured Washington Sundar to be replaced with senior player KL Rahul. Notably, Rahul had missed the second ODI in Cardiff due to a fever, as India lost after poor batting by their middle-order unit.

Kaif believes that the third and final encounter of the series is going to be a huge test for the Gautam Gambhir-led unit. He further opined that a fit-again Rahul should definitely make a comeback to the playing XI since the game on Sunday is a do-or-die contest with the series currently levelled at 1-1. However, he also feels that India will be compromising their bowling attack by bringing Rahul in.

“I think this is a bit of a test for the team now because of the five bowlers that were there in the second ODI, plus KL Rahul if he is fit. Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill like having batting till No. 8; this has been the template that has been followed. They have compromised their bowling but never their batting till No. 8. I don’t remember them doing anything like that, and now it is a do-or-die game,” Kaif said on Cricbuzz.

The team management is currently under the scanner for benching unorthodox spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the first couple of games. While left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey has been added to the squad as a replacement for the departed Sundar, Kaif believes that a seasoned campaigner like Kuldeep should make the cut.

“Since this is a series decider, two questions arise. Will they bring Kuldeep Yadav or KL Rahul? If KL Rahul comes, then they will have the same bowlers from the second ODI, which includes Shivam Dube. If you ask me, I would like Kuldeep Yadav to play in this decider match. He is a wicket-taker and he should get a chance,” Kaif added.

The third ODI between India and England will be played at Lord’s, London, on Sunday, July 19. The winner of this encounter will also win the series 2-1.

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